If your Chinese plan is “pass HSK with apps that never force me to talk,” 2026 is a wake-up call. Speaking is documented in the new HSK path — especially from level 3 samples — and advanced outlines include oral expression as a first-class skill.

Speaking as one of four core skills on the new HSK path
Speaking sits beside listening, reading, and writing — not as an optional extra.

Sample speaking formats (from published sample papers)

HSK 3 speaking (≈15 minutes total, incl. prep)

Part Task Items Timing notes
1 Listen and repeat 8 ~10 seconds each
2 Picture talk 5 ~15 seconds each
3 Answer questions 2 ~1.5 minutes each

Example themes: introduce a family member; what kind of job you like and why.

HSK 4 speaking (≈20 minutes)

Part Task Items
1 Listen and retell 2 (~40s each)
2 Picture talk 1 (~2 min)
3 Open answers 2 (~2 min each)

HSK 5–6 speaking (≈23 minutes)

Similar three-part shape: retell → picture → opinion answers (~2–2.5 minutes), with denser topics (internet impact, generational differences, investment metaphors, etc.).

These are sample structures for practice design — not a guarantee of every future form. Always check your registration booklet.

Why speaking practice raises paper scores too

  • Forces fast vocabulary retrieval (helps listening)
  • Reveals tone errors that change meaning
  • Builds connectors (其实 / 不过 / 另外) used in reading logic

Daily practice plan (20 minutes)

  1. Warm-up (3 min): tone pair trainer
  2. Repeat/retell (7 min): play a short clip → say it back without looking
  3. Picture/scene (5 min): describe a photo from your phone (food, street, classroom)
  4. Open answer (5 min): one timed question from your target level

Scene banks: HSK 1 food · HSK 1 travel · HSK 2 family life.

Scoring mindset (unofficial)

Examiners care about intelligibility, task completion, fluency, and accuracy — not memorizing one perfect script. Practice repair strategies (“不好意思，我再说一次…”).

How NiHaWa fits

NiHaWa is built for scene prompts + speech feedback, which maps cleanly onto repeat/picture/open-answer loops. Start with the free HSK level test, then join the waitlist for AI speaking sessions.

Also read: AI Chinese speaking practice · full HSK guide.